Multi-purpose candle holder and flower arranger

ABSTRACT

A combination candle holder and flower arranger, preferably of molded plastic material, in which concentric, stepped openings are formed centrally to receive candles or other cylindrical members of relatively large diameter and on the curved surface of which tubular taper holders and pins are formed. The tubular taper holders are of suitable depth and diameter to hold relatively long tapers in position and the pins are of suitable diameter and length to accommodate tubular bases of artificial flowers.

United States aent Melvin Zarinsky 18 Countryside Lane, Marblehead, Mass. 01945 July 10,1969

Apr. 13, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented MULTl-PURPOSE CANDLE HOLDER AND FLOWER ARRANGER 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 431/126, 248/39, 431/295 Int. Cl F2lv 35/00 Field ofSearch 431/295, 297,296, 126: 248/39(Inquired) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 558,800 4/1896 Gilbert 431/297 2,696,097 12/1954 Pernici 431/296X 3,493,315 2/1970 Nissen 431/295 FOREIGN PATENTS 220,566 4/1962 Austria 431/295 Primary Examiner-Edward S. Favors AttorneyKenway, Jenny and Hildreth ABSTRACT: A combination candle holder and flower arranger, preferably of molded plastic material, in which concentric, stepped openings are formed centrally to receive candles or other cylindrical members of relatively large diameter and on the curved surface of which tubular taper holders and pins are formed. The tubular taper holders are of suitable depth and diameter to hold relatively long tapers in position and the pins are of suitable diameter and length to accommodate tubular bases of artificial flowers.

MULTI-PURPOSE CANDLE HOLDER AND FLOWER ARRANGER 1 Floral and other decorative arrangements have come into increasing use in this country in recent years. One factor which has led to the more widespread use is the availability of artificial flowers of excellent quality and low cost. With the growth of knowledge of plastics and the development of superior techniques for forming plastics into shapes simulating those of natural flowers and greenery, it has become possible almost to duplicate the beauty of natural floral displays.

Frequently, and especially in the case of table decorations or centerpieces, it is desired to couple with the floral display candles or tapers. Few devices have been available for such purposes and homemade expedients are often resorted to. For safety reasons or simply for lack of suitable support for the candles or tapers, available holders are unsatisfactory. It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to simplify the creation of floral and candle displays.

It is another object of the present invention to increase safety in utilizing combination candle and floral displays.

It is still another object of the present invention to make possible flexible and varied displays with a single holder.

Generally, the present invention consists in a pedestal in the fonn of a truncated hemisphere. It may be formed in any convenient fashion but it is preferably molded of plastic material. The bottom surface, which is the major diameter, is flat and concentric openings of differing diameters and depths are formed centrally in the top surface terminating in flat shoulders and a flat bottom surface to accommodate candles, glass cylinders, or hurricane shades. Tubular extensions are formed in a symmetrical array about and extending from the rounded surface to accommodate tapers or other small cylindrical objects. Also on the rounded surface, there are formed pins which extend upwardly and outwardly to accommodate artificial flowers which are provided with tubular bases.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, features and advantages, reference should be made to the following description of a preferred embodiment which should be read in conjunction with the attached drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view .of the holder; and

FIG. 2 is a view partially in section of the holder of FIG. 1 taken along the lines 2-2.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 the overall makeup of a preferred embodiment of the invention may be seen. A generally hemispherical holder molded of plastic such as polyvinyl chloride or the like is truncated at its widest portion to form a base 12 for the pedestal. Concentric holes are formed centrally in the top of the hemisphere perpendicular to the base. The largest opening terminates in a shoulder 14 which is preferably flat and parallel to the bottom of the pedestal. This opening is preferably slightly more than 3 inches in diameter to accommodate a candle, candle holder or other cylindrical member of that diameter. A depth of about one-half inch has proven suitable to maintain the candle firmly in an upright position. Similarly, the second opening is of about the same depth relative to the shoulder 14 and terminates in a second shoulder 16 which is'flat and parallel to the bottom of. the pedestal. Here too, it is preferred to have an opening of a standard size such as slightly over 2 inches to accommodate candles of that diameter. Finally, a third opening which is of the same approximate depth from the shoulder 16 and of a diameter to accommodate 1 inch candles or other cylindrical members of that standard dimension is formed with a flat bottom surface 18, the underside of which is parallel to and forms a part of the bottom surface of the pedestal.

The pedestal need not be of solid material; in fact, it is preferably in the form of a shell as best seen in FIG. 2 to conserve material and reduce cost.

On the rounded surface of the pedestal, a number of similar tubular receptacles 20 are formed. These members may be individually and independently fonned and sealed into openings formed in the rounded surface or, under suitable circumstances, they may be molded integrally W1 th the pedestal. In either event, they are firmly secured to or through the pedestal. They may conveniently be provided with an opening of sufficient diameter to accommodate 74-inch cylindrical members such as tapers. The wall thickness should be one-sixteenth of an inch or more and the depth may be three-fourths of an inch to an inch in order to provide sufficient support for tapers of relatively great length. The disposition and orientation of the members 20 on the rounded surface are such as to hold the tapers in a generally radially extending array.

In addition to the tubular supports formed upon the rounded surface, a rather larger number of pins are also formed, the pins 24 being typical. The pins are designed to accommodate tubular members which may constitute the basis of flower and leaf groups. They may be of about one-half inch in height and a diameter of about one-eighth of an inch provides adequate support to the relatively light flower arrays.

In FIG. 2 the method of attachment of the flowers to the pins and typical candle and taper holding are shown. Flowers 26 and leaves 28 are made up in a circular array about a conical member which terminates in a tubular socket 30 designed to fit slidably over a pin 24. The flowers, of course, may be varied in color, in arrangement and in number to permit the making of varied displays and centerpieces.

In the center of the holder, a candle 32, in this instance of 2- inch diameter, is positioned. The candle bottoms on the shoulder 16 and is firmly held by the circular wall of the opening. Typical tapers 34 are also shown as they are firmly held in the tubular sockets 20. The dashed line 36 denotes the generally hemispherical floral outline that would be had with flowers on all of the pins.

It has been noted that members other than candles or tapers may be held by the receptacles for those items. Of course, other decorative items than the flowers may be held by the pins as well.

I claim:

1. A multipurpose holder for decorative items comprising a pedestal of generally truncated hemispherical shape, the major diametric surface of said pedestal forming a base, a plurality of stepped concentric openings being formed centrally in said pedestal and perpendicular to said base to accommodate relatively large cylindrical members;

the lowermost of said concentric openings terminating in a flat surface parallel to said major diametric surface;

a second plurality of tubular receptacles being formed on the rounded surface of said pedestal to accommodate relatively small cylindrical members and a third plurality of pins being formed on the rounded surface of said pedestal to accommodate items having tubular bases.

2. A holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said concentric stepped openings are of predetermined depth and diameter to retain any one of three sizes of candles in an upright position.

3. A holder as defined in claim 2 wherein said tubular receptacles are of predetermined depth, diameter and disposition to accommodate tapers in a generally radially extending array.

4. A holder as defined in claim 3 wherein said pins are of predetermined height, diameter and disposition to accommodate artificial flowers having tubular bases to form a generally hemispherical floral outline. 

1. A multipurpose holder for decorative items comprising a pedestal of generally truncated hemispherical shape, the major diametric surface of said pedestal forming a base, a plurality of stepped concentric openings being formed centrally in said pedestal and perpendicular to said base to accommodate relatively large cylindrical members; the lowermost of said concentric openings terminating in a flat surface parallel to said major diametric surface; a second plurality of tubular receptacles being formed on the rounded surface of said pedestal to accommodate relatively small cylindrical members and a third plurality of pins being formed on the rounded surface of said pedestal to accommodate items having tubular bases.
 2. A Holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said concentric stepped openings are of predetermined depth and diameter to retain any one of three sizes of candles in an upright position.
 3. A holder as defined in claim 2 wherein said tubular receptacles are of predetermined depth, diameter and disposition to accommodate tapers in a generally radially extending array.
 4. A holder as defined in claim 3 wherein said pins are of predetermined height, diameter and disposition to accommodate artificial flowers having tubular bases to form a generally hemispherical floral outline. 